"Rodney, thanks for making those beds and the bathroom." John said. "Even the impromptu women products."
Rodney's helm twirled toward John.
"You are welcome, John." Rodney replied, then his helm twirled away.
"Any news on that craft that left four days ago from Harris's patrol ship?" John replied.
"My long range sensors have informed me that it is out of sensor range as of three days ago with a course for the destination that the Jupiter 2 and shuttle have gone." Rodney said.
"They can take care of themselves." John said. "Whatever she has to throw at them; it will bounce right off."
"Explain this strange feeling I am detecting you." Rodney requested.
"It's called missing." John said. "When someone loves another person, creature, or life form; that feeling makes their heart ache for them, makes their love for them grow stronger, and for themselves to grow stronger as a whole."
"Chest ache." Rodney said.
Penny and John laughed at once.
"Not quite, Roddy," Penny said. "It comes from the heart."
Penny approached Rodney, standing taller than she had years ago, then tapped on his chest.
"Where ever your heart may lie," John said. "That is the part where it will hurt the most."
"A interesting feeling." Rodney noted.
John walked forward toward the holographic projection screen displaying the Jupiter 2 and the shuttle flying toward the tunnel then reached his hand out for the two and they were gone to his fingertips. It was lighter in the room than it had been years ago. Two years felt like three stranded in space.
The years were wild and unexpected but the most recent year was kinder than the first year had been. John was certain for one reason; Harris was not there trying to throw them into the hands of Death. It had been a comfortable existence with out her and with his family. Sure, the real Smith had thrown his family into danger a handful of times before he went to sleep. But, he hadn't quite wanted to.
A part of him wondered if it were preparing him for the existence at Alpha Centauri's primary colonized planet Gamma. If it were to be that way; John was fine with it. Visitors that wiped away the mundaneness of it all away and made it feel a little more fantastic. The kind that made everything feel surreal, spicy, and electrified in a least terrifying way. The screen was replaced by the scenery of the planet below.
"Thanks." John turned his attention toward Rodney.
"Do not mention it." Rodney crossed his two claws together and held up one of them.
John grinned and returned the gesture; if he were being serious, he felt that he was making a ally.
Penny walked on toward the screen munching on a space snack that had been generated by Rodney's ship watching the view of nature.
Rodney made some more adjustments and they could hear the creatures of the planet below in the ship.
John smiled as Penny grinned.